Farmington woman's body pulled from Animas River

Cause of death under investigation, alchol believed to be a factor

FARMINGTON — The body of a Farmington woman was recovered from the Animas River on Friday afternoon.

The cause of death is still under investigation, and it is not clear why the woman was in the river.

Clofes Gurule, 55, was pulled out of the river by members of the San Juan County Sheriff's Office and San Juan County Fire Department. Her body was found near the 9.5 mile marker of County Road 3000 at about 2 p.m. Friday, Sgt. Kyle Lincoln said.

Lincoln said deputies were on the scene within 10 minutes after receiving a call about a car and a possible body in the water east of Railroad Street.

Lincoln said Gurule backed her Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle into the river after an argument with her boyfriend.

Police believe that alcohol was a factor.

"Just through the interviews we've done, she was down in the area drinking alcohol with some other people," Lincoln said.

Firefighters pulled Gurule's body out of the water, where it was pinned against the car, keeping it from traveling downstream in the river.